Machine for separating shoes from lasts



Ot. 14, 1941. G. P. s. cRoss I MACHINE FOR SEPARATING SHOES FROM LASTS Filed April 4, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm m My Oct. 14, 1941. p 5 cRoss 2,258,597

MACHINE FOR SEPARATING SHOES FROM .LASTS Filed April 4,1940

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 14, 1941. G. P. s. CROSS MACHINE FOR SEPARATING SHOES FROM LASTS Filed April 4, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q m m M Patented Oct. 14, 1941 MACHINE FOR 1 "21258597 7 l sEPARA'rING SHOES FROM msrs .Garrett P. svCross Beverly, Mass assignor to United Shoe .Machinery Corporation, Fleming- .ton,'N. J., a corporation of New Jersey I Application Apr m, 1940, Serial No 327,889

' azoiaims; (01.11259154) f This invention relates to machines for separat ing shoes from lasts and is herein illustrated and described with particular reference to two p'art separable lasts of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2, Q85,14 8, granted June 29, 1937, upon my application. These lasts are provided with a mechani'sm which normally holds the foreand rear sectionsof the last rigidly locked togethenbut which may readily be" released to enable the last to collapse' and also, if desired, to enable the sectionsto beseparated. The use of such lasts affords several advantages inthe manufacture of shoes)- For example, "it enables the heel'end ofthe last"to"beremoved from the shoe before the iorepart is removed. Such removal oftheheel endmay be effected during the earlier stages'of manufacture 'tofacilitate'subsequent operations, or it may be delayed until just prior to the heelingbperation. In either case it is often advantageous to keep the forepart of the last in the shoe'somewhat longer. Indeed, under some conditions of manufacture the forepart may be left inthe shoe fortreeing purposes. The heel ends, immediately upon removal, become available for use in other shoes, reducing the number that otherwise would be required. The use of separable lasts, moreover, enables manufacturers to make uplasts of varying styles by combining interchangeable fore-' parts with standard heel ends. 1

It is an object of the present invention to pro vide a machinecapable of use either in removing the heel section only of the last of the typeabove described or of removing the entire last whether it be of that type or whether it 'be a block last or an ordinary hinged last. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the illustrated machine is provided with a member engageable'with' the locking mechanismof a last' to'unlock the last and with a member engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe off the heel end of the last.. These operations are conveniently. performed: in ti'med relation by. a treadle mechanism. The illustrated device for releasing the locking mechanism of the last is provided with means, operable upon engagement with the last for' releasing theunlocking member from the operating'means to avoid excess movement of the unlockingmember, and Y to get the unlocking' member out from between the fore an'drearsections of the last to enable the last to'collapse; In accordancew'ith a further feature, the machine herein shown is provided witha shoeremoving tool guided for longitudinal movement along aleve'r andwith operating l means constructed and 1 arranged 1 first to swing the lever to bring the toolinto an operatingposition in relation to the shoe and then to move the tool along the lever to cause the tool to; move the shoe off the last.

These and other features of the invention comprising certain combinations and arrangements of partswill be apparent from'the follow ing description of apreferred embodiment of the .inventionshown in the drawings, in which i Fig. l-is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is a sideelevation to a largers'cale than Fig. 1' and partly in section showing certain of the operating parts' inengagement' with the last mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation to a still larger scale and partly in section of a portion of the mechanism for operating the shoe removing tool; and Fig. 4 'isa front elevation of' a portion of the last unlocking mechanism. I

The illustrated machine is provided with an upstanding'last pin Ill upon which a last L with a shoe S thereon is mounted in an inverted position. The last pin I0 is secured in the upper end portion of a standard l2 havinga base l4. 7 The last L as illustrated herein may be of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent No. 2,085,148 comprising forepart and rear sections I 6 and I8, respectively, or it may be, on the other hand, a solid or block last, or a last of the ordinary hinged type. If the last L is of the type illustrated herein, the machine will be operated in such a manner as first to cause a member 20 to be raised against a spring 22 (Fig. 2 which holds the two portions of the last in locked relation. The effect of such upward movement of the member 20 against the spring 22 of the last is to enable the last to collapse. For operation upon lasts of the solid orof the ordinary hinged type, the'mechanism for operating the member 20 may readily be rendered inoperative. i The instrumentalities for separating the shoe from the lastcornprise aconcave rubber pad 24 vulcanized around a metal holder 26 which is mounted upon the upper end, of v arod 23. The lower end of the rod 28 is 'pivotally connected by a crosspin 30 to a pair of ears 32 which. are integral with abranched portion 36 of a treadle lever 34. This branched portion 36 embraces the standard l2, the two branches being bridged forwardly and rearwardly of the standard by connecting portions 38 and 43, respectively. The treadle lever 34 is fulcrumed upon a pin 42 carried in the lower end of a lever 44. Secured in'the standard li isa pin 46 which constitutes a fulcrum for-the lever 44-. A tension spring anchored to a pin 82 secured in the standard I2 normally holds the lever 44 in a stop position determined by engagement of the bridge 48 with the standard I2. The lever 44 comprises a pair of parallel side walls 58 connected at their upper portions by a web 52 from which the side walls extend rearwardly. The rod 28 extends between the upper portions of the side walls I58-and is normally supported by the laterally overhanging portions of the pad 24 in engagement with the upper ends of the side walls 58. The side walls 58 below the fulcrum 46 embrace thestandard I2, and at their lower ends carry the pin 42.

In the upper portion of the lever 44 and extending rearwardly from the sidewalls 58 area isthicker than-ithe main portion and-is provided with a cam surface 66 which slopes upwardly toward the forward end of the plate. "Depending from the rearportion of the plate 58 is a pin 68 to whichlis anchoredpne end of a tension spring I8. This spring extends forwardly and its opposite end is secured to a crosspin -I2 secured in the lever 44. The effect of the spring "1815 to urge the .plate 58 forwardly with the pin 68 against the inner ends of the slots 56, and also in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed'in Figs. 1 and 3, about the pin .68. The opening 82 is slightly longer than the thickness of the rod :28 to provide a longitudinal clearance which enables the spring '18 normally to tilt the forward end of the plate 58 upwardly, thereby causing the rear lower edge'of the opening 62 and also the upper forward edge to bind against the rod 28 at localities indicated by the reference characters I6 and I8, respectively. The plate 58 when in its normal position is 'thus cramped upon the rod 28 and operates as a clutch to prevent relative upward movement of the rod. It is evident,

therefore, that when the operator first depresses the treadle 34 no relative upward movement of the rod 28 can take place and the lever 44, together with the treadle 34, is obliged to rotate in a clockwise direction about the fulcrum 4.8.

The pad'24 is thus brought into engagement with the heel end of the shoe upper which arrests the forward movement of the rod 28. The opening 64 has a sloping upper edge I4 which constitutes a cam surface parallel to the surface66 and sep arated therefrom by a slight clearance when the plate 58 occupies its normalor clutching position. Continued rotation of the lever 44 now causes the sloping surface 14 to move forwardly into engagement with the cam surface 66, whereupon -the two cam surfaces cooperate to rotate the plate '58 in a clockwise direction about the pin .68. Such rotation straightens the opening of the walls 62 relatively to .the sides of the rod 28 thereby releasing :the clutching action above referred to and enabling the rod 28 to rise relatively t0 the lever 44.

It is evident that the rod 28 and thelever 44, by reason of their connections as described in the preceding paragraph, may be regarded as to-,

"less than the width of the slots 88. bears against the rod 28 to hold the pad 24 -,a gainst the shoe, turning to minimize friction as 'the'rear-edges'of the slots 88. .the roll '84 against the rod is derived from the about the fulcrum 46.

gether making up an extensible lever which carries the shoe-removing pad 24.

The initial pressure of the pad 24 against the shoe S is transmitted through the spring I0. In order to hold the pad 24 with gripping pressure against the heel end of the shoe, there is provided a roll 84 secured upon a pin 86 the extending ends of which engage lengthwise slots 88 formed in upwardly extending portions of the ears 54. The diameter of the pin 85 is slightly The roll 84 the rod rises, while the pin 88 rolls upwardly on The pressure of treadle and results from the fact that the resistance to upward movement encountered by the pad .24, together with the pressure of the operators foot on the treadle, sets up a torque in the lever '44 about the fulcrum 46, this torque actingrinaclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 1. The roll r84.is provided with a central guide flange 88 which engages a thin slot '92 cut in the rear surface .of the rod 28. This flange prevents either end of .the pin 86 from tilting upwardly asithe-pin travels up the slots 88.

In order to :prevent the rod *23 from immediately dropping when pressure upon the treadle 24 isireleased, thereisprovided aplate 94 having anppening 96 through which the rod 28 passes, this opening 96 being similar to the opening 62 of the plate 58 .already described. The forward end of the plate 94 rests upon the outer portion of alug in the standard I2 which carries the pin 46, while the opposite end 98 of the plate 54 normally rests'upona stationary support I88 secured in-the above-mentioned lug. The plate 98 occupies this normal position when the rod 28 is down and the treadle 34 is up, with the lever 44 in itsstop position as above described. Now, as has .already been pointed out, the first effect of depressing the treadle is a clockwise rocking of the lever 44 and the treadle 84 together as a unit Such rocking movement will'be transmitted to the rod 28 through the pivotal connection 38 and the clutch plate 5 The front and rear walls of the opening 96 are arranged to enter into cramping engagement with the adjacent sides of the rod 28 when the rod 28 is thus rocked in a clockwise direction, and the end 98 of the plate 94 will rise from the support I88 while the longer and heavier forward end of theplate 94 will remain resting upon its supporting lug onthe standard I2. The plate 98, being free to tilt'about its forward end, will not oppose the upward operative movement of the rod 28 whichllater takes place; but the weight of its end 98 will cause it to act as a clutch to prevent descent of the rod when'pressure upon the treadle is released. The rod and the plate together will then turn as a unit in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the fulcrum 46 until the lower edge of the rear portion 98 of the plate strikes the support I88, declutching the rod and leaving it free to descend under the influence of its ownweight.

- The last unlocking mechanism above referred to comprises-a'rod -I 82'the upper portion of which has :a pair of side walls between which the unlocking member 28 is slidable. Formed in the side walls of the rod I82 is a longitudinal slot I84 (Fig.- .2) engaged by the extending ends of a pair of longitudinally spaced crosspins I86 and I88 secured in, the unlocking member or slide 20. These pins thus guide the slide 20 for longi-' .tudinal movement relatively t -therod I02.- Ful-' which is engaged by a downwardly extending tail IIB of a trippin'g membr lmlfulcrumed upon a pin I22 secured in the sli'de 20. "The upper end of the tripper I20 has a beveled surface I24 engaging a member I26 jwhich is a part offthe last locking mechanism'fand such engagement serves to rotatethe tripper in a CIOckWiSe direction causing it to rotate the latch I III in; a counterclockwise direction and to release the detent lIlfther'eby permitting the slide tddrop- A stop pin I28 prevents excessive idle movement of the tripperl20 in acounterclockwise"direction. A bridge I 29 connecting the rearward edges'of the sidewalls of theslide 20 limits movement of the tripper 'I20ina' clockwise directionl The lower end of the rod I02 is pivotally connecte'd'by a pin I30" 'to'anarm' I32 of a bell crank fulcrumed upon a stationary pin I34 which is securedb'etween a pair of cars I36 extending from a bracket fixed upon the s'tandard 'l2. This bell crankhas another arm l38 uponwhich is formed a cam surface I40 engageable with a'r'oll'I42 idly mounted upon thepin 421between the lateral branches'36 of the tre'adle lever. A tension spring I43 interposedbetween the arm "I32 and the base I 4 holds the cam. I'40 against the'roll' I 42;

It is evident'that movementof the axis of the roll I42 about'the fulcrum 46will rock the above mentioned bell crank to "develop an upward thrust in the rod I02. The standard I2 is hollow,'being U-shaped in'cross-section with a rear wall I44 and a pair of side walls 0 I46 between which the lower portion ofthe rod I02 extends. For guiding the rod I02 a pair of coaxial idler rolls I48 (Figsf "1 and4) are journaled in the side walls I46of the standard.- These rolls engage a pair of'cam surfaces I50 formed on the rod I02and are separated by a rib I52 which extends centrally from the rod I02 between the adjacent ends ofth'e'coaxi'al rolls I to support the rod against lateral movement, V-shaped transverse notch not shown) is formed in the upper end of the slide 20 to facilitate engagemnt with th 'springi'22 l The'rod I02 in its normal or lowermost position issubstantially withinth standard I2. The-spring I I4 urges the rod I02 'outwardlyof the standard I2 to maintain the cam surfaces I50 against the'rolls I48 as the rodrises. a "Secured to the rear wall I44 between the lateral walls I46of the standard I2 is an abutment I54 (Fig, 1); Upon reiease of the de'tent III the s1ide20 will be pulled down by the spring I Hand a rubber bumper I55 (Fig. 2) on the lower end of the slide will strike against the abutment I54 arresting further "downward'movement of the slide. When the operator releases his pressure upon the treadle I34 therod I62 willdescend under the influence of its Own weight, aided by the sprin I43. Continued descent of the rod I02 will bring the notch II2'into a positionwherein it will be engagedagain by 'the detent 'I I I "to reset the last unlockingmechanismior another operation.

In order to prevent" the last L from being lifted on the l'ast pin In by the upward'thrust of the slide 20or by the upward push of the pad 24, there' is provided a mechanism for locking the last to the last pin. This mechanism comprises 'a plate I56 (Fig. 2). pivotally mounted upon a pin I53 secured in the upper portion of the lastpin III. The plate' I56o'ccup'ies a slot I60 cut in the upper" portion of the last pin I0 and has a downwardly extending rear edge l62. The forward edge I64 of'the plate: I56 slopes rearwardly from its upper portion; the platethus being wedge-shaped in outline with its vertex at the bottom; The slot I60 is cut deeply enough to clear the edge I64? when theplate' I56 occupiesits normal position. The lower portion of the edge I62 is provided with teeth I66 for grippingsagainst'th interior surface of the thimble hole ofthe last. Guidedwithin a slot I68 formed in the standard I2 is arod I170 the upper portion o-f'which extends into the'slot I60 between the'base of :the slotfland the'lower 'portion of the edge; I64 of the plate 156. 1 The lower end of the rodI'IO is pivotally connected to an arm II2 of a'bell crank fulcrumed-up'on a pin I14 which is-securedin the standard I 2. Interposed between the armI'IZand a pin II'I6 secured in the standard I2 is a tension spring I I8 which tends to raise the rod I10; Theabove-mentioned bell crank has another. arm I whichisnormally engaged byi a "rearwardly' extending lug '-I 32- formed on the upper portioniof the-r0d1 "I02-2" --When the rod I02 occupies its normal or lowermost'position under the-influence of thespring1:43 the lug I62 will bear against;the' arm I80 andthereby retain the rod I10 in ita lowermost positionagainstthe tension of the spring H8. 'The plate I55 will then hang in'such a position as to. bring the teeth I66 within the "slptJIiIlL When theoperator steps upon the tread le. ,34,'..thelug I82 will move upwardlyand forwardly away from the, arm I80 and enable the spring I18 .tfqjrais'e the rod I10 and to exert afwedgihg'iabtionbetween the base of the slot IBO'andtheLrea'r edge I64 of the plate I56, thereby urgingthe teeth I66 outwardly into gripping engagement with the lastqy In operating the machine;,a'la1st L with a shoe S thereon is placed in inverted position on the last pin III. .The slide 20 in its normal' p osition isclose to or substantially within the standard I2, enabling the machine to"o perate upon a high shoe or boot as well as upon 'shoes of the type shown. Depression of the treadlef34, as has already been explained, will first'cause the last pin II! to be locked to the last'L fcr the purpose of holding the last against upwardmoven ent; 1 Further depression of the treadl'e will'cause the rod I02together with theslide 20 which'islatched theretojt o rise and also-to move forwardly under control of the cam surfaces l50. This forward movement is sufficient us; bring the upper portion of the slide 20 into engagement with the plane of the joint surface of the :forepartb-f the last, whereupon further upward 'movement of the slide will be guided by the last itself; The upper end of the slide 20 will thushu-tomatically clear the member I26 and find the'proper-position for engagement with the locki'iigspring'22 of the last, which position varies fo rwardly or rearwardly for lasts of different'si'Zes. The V-sh-aped notch formed in the top of theslide 20 will thus come into engagement with the locking spring 22' of the last-andunlock the rorepan of the last from" the rear portion; Further upward movement or; the slide 20' almost imm'ed'iately brings th cam su face 1-24 int en a me t wi t member l=26-to trip the latch 1 l andrelease the detent [H -from the notch H2. The slide thereupon descends to an out-of-the-way'position, thus avoiding excess upward movement and also getting-out of the way to enable the last to collapse. Thespring 22 cannot snap back into lockingposition but remains in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. The depression of the treadle also causesthe-lever' to rock in a clockwise direction, as has already been explained, about the ifulcrum 46 'until the :pad 24 engages theheel .end of .the 'shoeand releases the rod 28 for upward movement. Still :further depression of :the treadleraisesthe pad.24 while in'frictional engagement with thezshoe and lifts the heel portion of the shoe from the last. This operation causes the last to collapse, with the .forepart of the last tilted downwardly and'with the locking mechanism of thelas'tistill holding the fore and rear sections of the last together. The operator may now withdraw theshoefrom the entire last by a forwardly and somewhat downwardly directed pull, or he maycompletely disengage the lockingmechanism'by afurther downward tilting movement,-and remove the shoe with the fo'repart of the laststill within it. This forepart, which is thus conveniently left in the shoe to facilitate subsequent manufacturing operations, may later be removed'by-handor by theuse of a device disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,228,444, granted January 14, 1941, upon my application.

A stop '83 engageable with the branches 36 limits the extent towhi'ch the treadle can be depressed. Upon release of pressure upon the treadle 34, the pad 26 will first move rearwardly away from the last L, as has already been explained, and then will descend to its normal position resting upon .the top of the lever 44. Meanwhile the slide 20 will engage the abutment I54 to reset the .detent H I. The machine is now in readiness for another operation.

In using this machine to separate shoes from block lasts or from ordinary hinged lasts, the last unlocking mechanism .of the machine may readily be rendered inoperative by *manuallty holding the detent H-l out of engagement with the notch I I2 at the beginning of the operation. A more convenient expedient, if many operations are to be performed underthese conditions, is to remove the abutment 154 which resets the last unlocking mechanism.

Having described my invention, what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States :is:

1. In a machine for removing shoes from twopart lasts, :in combination, means for urging a shoe oil alast, and .means operable automatically upon actuation of said urging means for disengaging the parts of the last.

2. In a machine for removing shoes from lasts, in combination, means operable automatically upon actuation of the machine for disengaging the parts of a two-part last, said means comprising a member movable heightwise between the fore and rear sections-of the last into engagement with the locking mechanism of the last.

3. In a machine for removing shoes from lasts having a member 'engageable with the heel end of a lasted shoe and operable for movements relative to the last to remove the shoe, in combination, means for operating said shoe-removing member, and means operated by said operating m ans to automaticallydisen g n h pa s ofa twoepart-last.

4. For removing shoes 'iromtwo-part lasts having mechanisms for locking the last parts together, a machine comprisinga support for a last with a shoe thereon, a member engageable with the locking mechanism of the last to unlock the last, .amember .engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe off the heel end-of the last, and means for operating said members.

'5. For removing shoes from two-part lasts having mechanisms for locking the last parts together, a machine comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a member engageable with the locking mechanism-of the last to unlock the last, a tool engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe oh" a 1part of the last,a treadle,'and connections from said treadle' for operating said un-v locking member and .said shoe removing tool in timed relation.

6. For removing shoes from two-part lasts having mechanisms for locking the, last parts together, a machine comprising an upright last pin for holding in inverted position a last with a shoe thereon, a member movable upwardly into the space between the 'forepart and heel sections of the last for engagement with the locking mechanism :of the last to unlock the last, a tool engageablewith the heelend'of the shoe upper, and means. for moving upwardly in timed relation said unlocking member and said shoe removing tool to-unlock the-last and to iurgethe heelend' of the shoe off the last.

'7. For removing shoes from two-part lasts having mechanisms for locking the last parts together, a machine comprising an upright last pin for holding :in inverted: position a last with ashoe thereon, a member movable upwardly into the space between the forepart and heel sections of the last for engagement "with the locking mechanism of the last to unlock the la'st,'a shoe removing'tool engage'able with the heel end 'of the shoe upper, a carrier forsaid tool, a treadle, a connection .from said 'tre'adle for moving said carrier forwardly to bring said tool from an out-ofth'e-way position rearward of the last into an operating rposition relatively to the shoe, a connection rrom said treadle for moving said tool h'ei'ghtwise in said carrier when in operating position to raise the 'heel end-of the shoe from the last, and means-operated by-sa-id carrier in moving forwardly for raising said unlocking member to unlock the "last.

8. For removing shoes fromtwogpartlasts having mechanisms for locking the last 'parts together, a machinecomprising a support for a last with a shoe therein, a member engageable with the locking mechanism of thelast to unlock the last, a member engageable with the shoe to urge the shoe oil a part of the last, means for operating said members :in timed relation, and means operable upon engagement with the last for releasing said unlocking member'from said operating means to avoid excess movement of said ,unlocking member during the operation of said shoe engageable member.

9. A machine for 'separatingshoes from lasts, comprising .a support fora last with a shoe thereon, an' extensible lever, a shoe removing tool guided by said lever for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and operating means constructed and arranged first to swing said lever to bring the tool into anoperating position relative to the shoe and then to extend the lever to cause the tool to move the shoe off the'last.

10.. A machine..foriseparating shoes from lasts,

comprising a support for alast with a shoe thereon;.ia shoe removing; tool, alever having a guideway in which: said tool. is movableheightwisewith respect to: the shoe, a fulcrum upon which said -lever;is mounted forswinging movement to bring said toolforwardlyifrom an out-.of-the-wayposition' rearward ofthelastlinto. an operating position relatively to the shoe,:operating means constructed and arranged to swing said lever aboutsaid fulcrum to v bring said tool into operating position, and means operatedby said operating means when thetool hasbeen brought into operating, position for 'moving the tool along said guideway; to raiserthe rheelgend of: the shoe from thelast; .t: g/ :1 1 3 y 7; 111A machine for separating shoes from lasts, comprising a support for; a last with ashoe thereon, a shoe removing tool, a=lever havinga guideway n which said tool is movable heightwise, with respect to; thezshoega fulcrum upon which said 1 lever is'mountedjfor swinging movement to bring said too1 ;forwardly from anout-of-the-way position rearward of the last into an operating position relatively to ,th e shoe, ,a clutch normally holding; said tool against movementrelative to said lever alongsaid guideway, said clutch being constructed and arranged to disengage upon stopping of the tool in said operating position by contact with the work, and operating means constructed and arranged to swing said lever about said fulcrum to bring the tool into operating position and then upon disengagement of said clutch to move the tool heightwise along said guideway to raise the heel end of the shoe from the last.

12. A machine for separating shoes from lasts, comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a shoe removing tool engageable with the heel end of the shoe, a lever having a guideway in which said tool is movable heightwise with respect to, the shoe, a fulcrum upon which said lever is mounted for swinging movement to bring said tool forwardly from an out-of-the-way position rearward of the last into an operating position relatively to the shoe, an operating lever fulcrumed upon the first-mentioned lever, a connection from said operating lever for moving said tool in said guideway upon swinging movement of the operating lever relatively to the first-mentioned lever, means for normally holding said tool against movement along said guideway and for holding said operating lever against swinging movement relatively to the first-mentioned lever to enable the operating lever to be used to swing the first-mentioned lever about said fulcrum until the tool is stopped by the work upon reaching operating position, and means operated by said tool upon said stopping of its forward movement for releasing said holding means to enable continued movement of said operating lever to raise the tool in said guideway and thereby raise the heel end of the shoe from the last.

13. A machine for separating shoes from lasts, comprising a last pin for supporting in inverted position a last with a shoe thereon, a friction pad engageable with the heel end of the shoe, a slide on which said pad is mounted, a lever having a guideway in which said slide is movable heightwise with respect to the last, a fulcrum upon which said lever is mounted for swinging move-- ment to bring said tool forwardly from an outof-the-way position rearwardof the shoe into frictional engagement with the heel end of the shoe, said guideway being constructed and arrangedto *enable said slidewto yield, rearwardly relatively to said-lever to a slight extent when the forward movement of: the tool is stopped by contact withthe' shoe, a spring for resisting said relative rearward yielding of said s1ide,,a clutch fornormally holding, said slide from heightwise movement in saidguideway, said clutch being constructed, and arranged to release saidrslide upon relative'rearward yielding of the slide, a treadlefulcrumed upon-said lever, and a connection from said treadle, for moving said slide along said guideway; upon movement, of said treadl e relatively to said lever, said clutch serving normally through said slide and said connection to hold saidrtreadle, against relative movementwithrespect tosaid lever, thereby making the treadle in effect an extension of the lever and; causing the,lever,,upon depression of the tread-1e, to swing about said fulcrum until the tool comes into frictional engagement with the shoe, whereupon the clutch will yield and continued depression of the treadle will cause theslideto rise in said guideway and cause the friction pad to raise theheel end of the shoe from th e;last,; V

v 14.A mach ine for releasing the locking mechanism oftwo-part lasts, comprising a support fora last, a member, movable into engagement with the last locking mechanism to unlock said mechanism, meansgfor operating said unlocking member, and means operable upon engagement with the last for releasing said unlocking memher from said operating means to avoid excess movement of said unlocking member.

15. A machine for unlocking the locking mechanism of two-part lasts, comprising a support for a last, a slide engageable with the last lock- 7 ing mechanism to unlock said mechanism, a guide for said slide, a latch for holding the slide against movement relative to the guide, means for moving the guide to bring the slide into operative engagement with the last locking mechanism to unlock. said mechanism, and means operable upon engagement with the last for releasing said latch as soon as the unlocking operation has taken place to avoid excess movement of the operable upon engagement with the last for re- 7 leasing said latch as soon as the unlocking operation has taken place to avoid excess movement of the slide during continued movement of the guide, and an abutment engageable with the lower end of said slide to stop the slide in a position for the resetting of said latch as the guide descends to normal position.

17. A machine for releasing the locking mechanism of two-part lasts, comprising an upstanding last pin,a rod having its upper end portion constructed and arranged to engage the last locking mechanism between the fore and rear sections of the last and thereby to unlock said mechanism when the rod is moved upwardly, means for raising said rod to unlock the last mechanism, and cam means for guiding said rod into operating position as the rod moves up- Wardly,

'18. A machine for releasing the locking mechanism of two-part lasts, comprising a hollow rod from an out-of-the-way position within the standard into an operating position ofiset from the standard, and the standard having an opening to accommodate such passage of the rod.

19. A machine for releasing the locking mechanism of two-part lasts, comprising a hollow standard, an upstanding last pin secured in the top of. said standard, a rod having its upper end portion constructed and arranged to engage the last locking mechanism between the fore and rear sections of the last and thereby to unlock said mechanism when the rod ismoved upwardly, means for raising said rod to unlock the last mechanism, cam means for guiding the rod from an out-of-the-way position within the standard into operating position as the rod moves upwardly, and a spring urging said rod outwardly from the standard toward said operating position under control of said cam means.

20; Amachine for releasing the locking mechanism of a two-part collapsible last, comprising a support for the last, a member movable from an 'out-of-the-way position into engagement with the last locking mechanism to unlock said mechanism, means for operatingsaid unlocking member, and means operable upon engagement with the last for returning said member to said outof-the-way position to avoid interference with the collapsing of the last.

21'. A machine for releasing the locking mechanism of a two-part collapsible last having a space between the {ore and rear sections when the last is inv extended condition, comprising a support for the last, a, member movable from an out-of-the-way position into engagement with the last locking mechanism at a locality within said space to unlock said mechanism, and means for'operating said member.

22. A machine for releasing the locking mechanism of a two-part collapsible last, comprising a support for the last, a member movable into engagement with the last locking mechanism to unlock said mechanism, yieldable means for bringing said member against a surface of the last to guide the member as the member moves into operating position, and means for thus moving said member.

GARRETT P. S. CROSS. 

